Former Chamber Director remembered as having a ‘passion for Corbin’

Former Corbin Chamber of Commerce Director Lorene Hodge, right, plans the year’s Chamber activity schedule with then president Paul Jones in 1958.

A well-known and respected community servant, and one of the founders of the venerable NIBROC Festival in Corbin, died last week at the age of 85.

Lorene Hodge passed away April 11 weeks after suffering a debilitating fall, friends say, but her legacy in the town won’t likely be forgotten anytime soon.

Hodge served as Director of the Corbin Chamber of Commerce for roughly 45 years before retiring from the position in 1995.

During her stint with the Chamber, she helped organize the Lake Laurel Horse Show, was instrumental in the planning and construction of the Corbin Civic Center and was one of the principal founders of the city’s largest annual festival – NIBROC.
The Chamber’s first offices were in a railcar, but Hodge oversaw the procurement and renovation of the depot where its offices currently reside.

"She was able to accomplish a whole lot of things back in a time when the Chamber of Commerce ran on a shoestring budget," said Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney. "I don’t think she ever really gave up on the Chamber, even after she retired. She really liked the city of Corbin. She always wanted to be a part of things."

Hodge was originally born in Oklahoma. She was married to former Corbin Fire Chief Ruben Hodge who preceded her in death by about 25 years

Maxine Vongruenigen, owner of Maggie J’s dress shop in downtown Corbin, was a close personal friend of Hodge. The two grew up together and were schoolmates.

"She has probably done more for Corbin than any one single person," Vongruenigen said. "She was someone that if you called over to the Chamber and had an idea to do something or asked her to help with so and so, she never said no. She never failed. She always helped."

Vongruenigen said Hodge was very interested in the success of downtown Corbin and was always working to improve the appearance and appeal of the city’s central business district. She vigorously promoted Corbin and Whitley County and trade shows and other events.

"She worked hard at that job and she enjoyed every minute of it," Vongruenigan said. "She never griped or complained about any of it. Back then, they never had much money to do anything and she never took much of a raise. She said the Chamber needed the money so bad, she didn’t feel right taking it."

Friends say Hodge was opinionated and spoke frankly, but balanced that with kindness and respected the opinions of others.

"She would listen to other people," said Tonya Marcum, a member of the city’s Tourism and Convention Commission and a friend of Hodge’s. "She didn’t demand things be done her way. If someone had a good idea, she would listen."

Patricia Donavan, Hodge’s sister-in-law, said Lorene was like a mother to her and showed unbelievable kindness to those she called her friends.

"When I was born, my mother was 42-years-old so she was more like my grandmother. When Lorene came into my life, she was only 23 or 24 and she became like a mother to me," Donavan said. "I spent as much time with her as I did my own mother. I had a good mother, don’t get me wrong … but Lorene was just always there. She was a huge influence on my life."

Visitation and funeral for Hodge was held Saturday at O’Neil Funeral Home. She was laid to rest in Resthaven Cemetery.